Allegations raised to Big Bend Times by a former Marfa police officer are prompting questions about disciplinary practices within the Marfa Police Department, including claims that department leadership initiated a questionable call for service and later relied on that incident in disciplinary actions, while city officials failed to respond or follow through when concerns were raised.
Big Bend Times was contacted by telephone with the tip and subsequently sought comment and documentation from city and police officials prior to publication.
Questionable call for service cited in discipline
According to Emmanuel García, a former Marfa police officer with approximately four years of prior law-enforcement experience, including service with the Anthony Police Department and the Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office, one of the incidents later cited in connection with his termination involved a reported “suspicious vehicle” near the end of his shift.
García said he was scheduled to work overnight and left approximately 45 minutes early with coverage arranged by another officer. He said his departure was known to supervisory staff and that another officer was actively covering the remainder of the shift.
García alleges that Police Chief Gilbert Carrillo later initiated a call for service reporting a suspicious vehicle at the Marfa Dollar General. According to García, the vehicle described in the call belonged to Carrillo himself.
García further alleges that Carrillo later issued or relied upon a disciplinary memorandum referencing the incident, without disclosing that Carrillo initiated the call or that the call was allegedly unfounded.
Big Bend Times has submitted public information requests seeking dispatch logs, reports, and internal documentation related to the call.
False disciplinary write-up alleged
García also alleges that a prior disciplinary write-up issued by Lt. Nichole Fuentes contained false claims and was later used as part of the justification for his termination.
According to García, the write-up accused him of falsifying an officer task involving a security check at a local business. García said he obtained video footage that directly contradicts the allegation and shows him conducting the security check at the time documented in his log.
He said the video evidence was provided to department leadership and city officials but that the write-up was never withdrawn.
Big Bend Times has requested copies of the disciplinary write-up, any supporting documentation, and records reflecting whether the evidence was reviewed. No such records had been produced as of publication.
Follow-up calls and disputed explanations
We contacted the Marfa Police Department on Thursday seeking comment and followed up again on Friday, prior to publication, to allow the department to clarify or correct the record.
During those calls, Lt. Fuentes stated that the department could not comment because “an attorney had contacted us.” García disputes that characterization, saying the contact was from a union representative rather than an attorney.
When asked directly whether an attorney had, in fact, contacted the department, Fuentes repeated the statement without clarification.
During the same call, Fuentes also asked whether the inquiry involved an emergency, despite the call clearly relating to a news inquiry.
For context, I have previously had a professional and respectful interaction with Fuentes during a routine traffic stop in Marfa related to nighttime photography. That encounter was calm and appropriate, which makes the handling of this inquiry more concerning.
Attempts to reach Chief Carrillo
We contacted Chief Carrillo’s office twice, asking that urgent messages be relayed to him and requesting comment on the allegations. No response was received.
Fuentes stated that Carrillo was unavailable until Monday. No written response or acting spokesperson was provided.
Mayor’s follow-up never occurred
García said he met with Mayor Manuel “Manny” Baeza on November 10, 2025, along with human resources staff, and presented evidence disputing the disciplinary actions. García said the mayor indicated he would review the materials and follow up.
According to García, no follow-up ever occurred.
More than a month later, García said he has received no decision, response, or written explanation. Emails to the mayor’s office have gone unanswered.
Big Bend Times contacted the mayor’s office on Thursday and again on Friday seeking comment. No response was received.
Records request acknowledged
Big Bend Times has submitted a Texas Public Information Act request seeking records related to calls for service, disciplinary actions, and communications involving the Marfa Police Department, Chief Carrillo, Lt. Fuentes, and Mayor Baeza.
The City of Marfa’s legal counsel has confirmed receipt of the request.
